Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Scotland announce two new assistants while Matt Taylor says farewell to join the Wallabies

By Online Editors
Waratahs assistant Steve Tandy gives instructions at a recent Waratahs Super Rugby pre-season training session in Sydney (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Scotland have appointed former Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy as their new defence coach after announcing Gregor Townsend’s right-hand man Matt Taylor is allowed to join Australia with immediate effect.

ADVERTISEMENT

Murrayfield chiefs have also revealed they have hired former France prop Pieter de Villiers to work as a scrum coach on a “short-term capacity” through the Six Nations.

Tandy – who coached Ospreys for six seasons until 2018 – joins from Super Rugby side Waratahs where he helped create their famed ‘blue wall’ backline over the past two seasons.

Brisbane-born Taylor – who played for Scotland A thanks to his Fife parents – joined the Scottish coaching system in 2012 from the Queensland Reds in a dual role covering Glasgow and Scotland’s defence. He was part of Townsend’s backroom team when Warriors won the PRO12 title in 2015.

He said: “I would like to thank the players and the staff of both Scotland and Glasgow Warriors for the friendship they have shown to me and my family over the past eight years.

(Continue reasing below…)

Video Spacer

“The moments we have shared through this period will stay with us for many more to come. The Calcutta Cup win in 2018 with Scotland and winning the PRO12 title in 2015 with Glasgow are ones which will always remain vivid.”

Scotland’s defence recorded back-to-back clean sheets against Samoa and Russia during this year’s World Cup but they still crashed out at the group stage after heavy defeats to Ireland and Japan. Tandy believes there is room for improvement.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said: “I see this as a massive opportunity and am very excited to fully immerse myself in Scottish rugby. Being part of Super Rugby for the past two seasons has enabled me to gain invaluable experience in different styles of rugby.

“Defence is a huge part of the game which I am extremely passionate about. With my experiences from both the northern and southern hemispheres, I feel I can add to the Scotland set up moving forward.”

On Taylor’s departure to Dave Rennie’s Australia on a four-year deal, Townsend said: “It’s been a real pleasure working with Matt both at Glasgow and Scotland. As team-mates back at the Borders we talked a lot about the possibility of going into coaching, then we used to share notes and learnings as we began our coaching careers on opposite sides of the world.

“Matt is passionate about coaching – helping players and the team improve, and also continually striving to be a better coach. He can be really proud of a number of achievements he helped create over an eight-year period in Scottish rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We wish him all the best in his new challenge, working with the country he grew up in. I’m sure he’ll do a great job. It’s great to bring someone of Steve Tandy’s experience on board. He was a successful head coach in the PRO14 and added another impressive dimension to his coaching as an assistant coach in Super Rugby.

“We’re also pleased to welcome Pieter into the group. He’s passionate about the scrum and has top level Test experience, having played for many years at Stade Francais and the French national team. He will be focused on improving our scrum collectively and working closely on improving the individuals in our team.”

– Press Association 

WATCH: RugbyPass travelled to Brecon to see how life after rugby is treating Andy Powell, one of Wales’ biggest characters on and off the pitch

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity
Search